Media Release
NSW Central Coast man jailed for grooming minor and for online child abuse offences
A man has been sentenced to four years and nine months’ imprisonment, with a non-parole period of three years, by the Downing Centre District Court today (17 September, 2026) for multiple child abuse-related offences.
The Charmhaven man, 37, previously pleaded guilty to:
- One count of using a carriage service to access child abuse material, contrary to section 474.22(1)(a)(i) of the Criminal Code (Cth);
- One count of possessing child abuse material obtained or accessed using a carriage service, contrary to section 474.22A of the Criminal Code (Cth)
- One count of the aggravated use of a child to produce child abuse material, contrary to section 91G(3) of the Crimes Act (NSW);
- One count of grooming a child to engage in sexual activity outside Australia, contrary to section 272.15(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth); and
- One count of failing to comply with his reporting obligations under the Child Protection (Offenders Registration) Act (NSW), contrary to section 17(1) of the Child Protection (Offenders Registration) Act (NSW).
An investigation began on 13 May, 2025, after the AFP received a report from the United States National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) about child abuse material being uploaded to a social media platform.
The AFP linked the 37-year-old man to the illegal activity and the following day executed a search warrant at a Charmhaven home.
A mobile phone was seized during the search, and contained sexualised conversations between the man and a child.
AFP Detective Superintendent Luke Needham said the AFP remained committed to identifying and prosecuting offenders who exploited children online.
“The AFP is committed to protecting children from online exploitation and ensuring offenders are brought to justice,” Det Supt Needham.
“Protecting children is one of the AFP’s highest priorities. We encourage parents and carers to maintain open conversations with young people about their online activities and to report suspicious behaviour to police.
“The AFP will continue working with partners in Australia and overseas to detect, disrupt and prosecute child exploitation offenders wherever they operate.”
